Sydney Travel Tips from a Local: Marc Von Arnim

Marc von Arnim, Hotelier

Von Arnim is GM of one of the city’s most feted hotels, the Park Hyatt Sydney, notable for its dress-circle position right on Sydney’s famous harbor

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By Emma Sloley
Photography by Jason Loucas

If You Have Only a Couple of Days
The Rocks is a favorite with our guests. This is the oldest area of Sydney, at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and it has undergone an amazing metamorphosis into a vibrant pocket of cafés, restaurants, and specialty shops and stalls. The neighborhood has an endearing charm: Most activities are centered around walking, sightseeing, and eating.

For Travelers Who Have Ticked Off All the Icons
Download the Sydney Culture Walks app. Visitors can embark on any of ten tours. They’ll discover hidden laneways and new neighborhoods while learning about Sydney’s history and the stories behind our most loved public artworks.

Exciting Neighborhood
Surry Hills is one of Sydney’s most vibrant neighborhoods, with wine bars, restaurants, gourmet food stores, and some of the city’s best dining.

Under-the-Radar Restaurant
Cottage Point Inn offers a prime waterfront dining location on the Hawkesbury River, reached via a seaplane ride from Sydney’s Rose Bay (or by road or boat). The restaurant is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and fantastic modern Australian menus, enjoyed on the deck or in the cozy converted boat shed.

Ultimate Sydney Experience
There is nothing quite like Opera Australia’s Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. Under the stars and on the water’s edge, this is one of the city’s grandest annual cultural events—opera theater for a nightly audience of 3,000 over a three-week season [held late March to mid-April], complete with open-air seating, dining in the treetops, and a magnificent opera on a harbor-top stage.

Best for Aboriginal Art
The Kate Owen Gallery in Rozelle at Sydney’s inner west specializes in contemporary indigenous art.

A Side of Sydney Most Visitors Never See
The Harbour Walk in the eastern suburbs is popular amongst Sydneysiders. This five-mile walk offers a good opportunity to explore a landscape of rugged cliffs, secluded coves, parkland, and bushland. Along the way, you’ll find historic houses and gardens, sandy beaches, and breathtaking harbor views.

For Great Coffee
The Fine Food Store in Kendall Lane at The Rocks, a five-minute walk from the hotel.

Favorite Way to End the Day
Enjoying the sunset over Sydney Harbour while having a glass of chilled Australian sauvignon blanc.

Best Views
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb offers the best views and is an experience in itself. Guests can absorb a 360-degree panorama of Sydney from the summit of one of the city’s greatest icons.

Favorite Aspect of the Park Hyatt Sydney
The location. I still remember the first time I walked into the hotel and saw the view of the Opera House. Even after all these years, it continues to amaze me. Also, the Sydney Suite located on the top floor is a standout: It offers the perfect mix of design and view.